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>Be Prepared

>Yeah.. along with a bunch of online (some close, some far) Scouting friends we are trying real hard to maintain a daily log of our “Next” 100 days of Scouting. I have been pretty good at going about it.. but as activities like a Troop camp out etc get in the way.. the blog seems to be so far away from me when it is time for taps at the Scoutmaster Jerry compound.But a lot goes on daily in the life of this Scouter. And as one would expect at least some of part of every day is dedicated to something to do with the Troop, Wood Badge, or learning something that has to do with Scouting. That “some part” may be a 10 minute phone call, or a half hour in a book, but at some point of my day I know that Scouting will creep into the picture.Today was no exception. Today we had a “Snow Event” here in the Portland area. Immediately the new went into full panic mode and traffic ground to a halt.. I think it was so people could watch the beautiful snow flakes falling. Needless to say, even with all the warnings of impending doom (snow) the general public found itself unprepared to handle it. Schools closed, offices shut down, and kids frolicked in the snow rejoicing.. until noon… when it all melted. It snowed again this afternoon.. but by and large it is gone. Cold weather is the forecast, and we can expect more of the white stuff over the next few days.As I drove to work this morning I thought about the folks that do not take the time and prepare. Not just for snow and bad weather, but for everything. A trip down to the Wal Mart this evening proved my point. There they were; snow shovels, de icer, antifreeze, and carts full of “get ready to be shut in” stuff. Waiting till you need it.. then off to the store for emergency supplies. Unprepared.

Be Prepared… the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise. Robert Baden-Powell

When we got my wife’s car in December we made sure it was prepared. An emergency kit, flash light, flares, etc.. and more importantly, how to use it all.I can not tell you how many times I have changed other peoples tires on the way to work, helped a neighbor throw on chains, and assist with a jump start. Sometimes it drives my family nuts, but something inside me tells me to “Do a good turn” and since I am prepared I feel it is my place to help.To many times others just drive on by and think to themselves how much it sucks to be the broken down person.I was driving out to Camp Clark to attend Wood Badge in May of 2005, Camp Clark is out on the Oregon Coast and about a two and half hour drive from my home. The route takes you over the Coast range going from the Willamette Valley out to the Oregon Coast. The road is dark and in parts one lane coming and going. I had plenty of time to get there, so I was doing the speed limit and enjoying the ride. There was fellow behind me that had somewhere to be and he had to be there now. He kept swerving and trying to pass, but because of the road, it was not going to happen till we came to a passing lane. Finally, his chance came and he blew past me. As he crested a hill I saw his tail light swerve and brighten. I approached the top of the hill to find him half in a ditch wheels spinning. He had hit a deer. The deer was in the passenger seat with its hooves sticking out of the windshield.I pulled over and threw on my four ways, got out and ran to the car. The driver was sitting there obviously in shock. I looked at him and asked if he was ok. He turned to me and gave me a blank look of disbelief. I asked again if he was ok and of he felt any pain. He look at me for a long time in silence. Once again I asked if he was ok and if he could hear me. He nodded his head yes and then turned his head toward me, he lifted his arm and pointed at me.. he said “You have got to be kidding me… A Boy Scout is here to help me!” then he started laughing. You see I was in my uniform ready for the Wood Badge session and so I had to chuckle myself and relied “Yep.. I am here to help.”I put out some flares and got on the phone and called 911. I stayed with the guy until help arrived. It turned out he was ok, but he thanked me for being there.It would have been easy to drive on by, but that is not what prepared Scouts (and Scouters) do.

The last couple days have been busy. Scouting has played its daily role. For my part in the #100daysofscouting I framed some memorabilia, my father in laws merit badge sash. I worked on my hiking stave, had to make a new one. Went to the Scout shop to pick up some patches and certificates and a gift for the out going SPL. Picked up a cool poster also of all the Scout Handbook editions.

Yesterday.. yeah you guessed it.. it was all about getting prepare for the the big winter storm and taking care of some Philmont business.

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"There are little things in life that helps to ‘center us’, and one of those was your blog. I am feeling more fulfilled now! Glad you are back" - Nate
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Jerry, you’re an excellent communicator, you have a very experienced and level headed view of Scouting and you definitely are a great example of a servant leader. Seriously, I think you should be working for BSA National - Trent